Valve plate having valve lamellae

ABSTRACT

A valve plate for installation in a reciprocating compressor includes a carrier region and a valve region. The valve region has a movable valve lamella having a valve seat for sealing passage channels for a controlled medium in a valve carrier plate. The valve region engages the carrier region of the valve plate via webs so that the valve lamella is fixed relative to the carrier region. The valve region has a web region, which is fixed by the webs relative to the carrier region, and the valve lamella is flexibly attached to the web region. A compressor with a valve plate is also provided.

The invention relates to an automatic valve for a reciprocating piston compressor. Different designs of reciprocating piston compressors of this type are well known from the prior art, such as, for example, DE 10 2014 111 526 A1, a distinction being made in the case of reciprocating piston compressors essentially between two functional valves, the valve through which air can flow into the piston-swept chamber, and the valve through which compressed air is conveyed out of the piston-swept chamber.

Reciprocating piston compressors are used in motor vehicles, in order to supply compressed air, for example, to a service brake, operated with compressed air, and/or an air suspension system. Ambient air is sucked in by the compressor, compressed, and is purified of impurities, such as oil and water, in further constituent parts of the compressed air supply device before use in the consumers.

The invention considers merely that valve, through which air can flow into the piston-swept chamber. Valves for this intended purpose are differentiated by essentially two designs. Thus, for example, DE 10 2008 052 744 B3 has disclosed a valve, in the case of which the movement of the closure lamella is limited by way of a catcher or a stop face. The intake operation can be described as follows:

-   -   the pressure difference sets the valve lamella in an opening         movement, the movable portion of the valve lamella being bent         and, when the catcher is reached, making contact with the         latter, with the lugs on the valve lamella passing into a         catching pocket of the catcher.

This contact with the catching pocket is desired, since this is a stroke limitation. It has been shown, however, that massive wear can occur, in particular, at high rotational speeds (and accompanying delivered air quantities). Said wear takes place both on the intake valve and on the catching pocket.

Furthermore, valves are known, in the case of which the closure lamella, as described in EP 0 604 385 A1, can swing outward freely and no end stop is provided to limit the movement. In the case of this design, the valve lamella moves freely downward during the intake operation, as a result of which the design is relatively critical.

A failure of the valve lamella, that is to say a fracture at any point of the lamella, leads directly to the failure of the compressor, and fragments can damage the compressor.

The invention is based on the object of proposing a valve plate with a valve lamella which is an improvement with respect to the prior art.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by way of an embodiment in accordance with claim 1. Further advantageous features of the embodiment according to the invention are found in the subclaims.

A valve plate is proposed for installation into a reciprocating piston compressor, which valve plate comprises a carrier region and a valve region, the valve region having a movable valve lamella with a valve seat, by means of which passage ducts for a controlled medium in a valve carrier plate can be closed, the valve region acting via webs on the carrier region of the valve plate, with the result that the valve lamella is fixed relative to the carrier region.

It is proposed according to invention for improvement purposes that the valve region has a web region which is fixed via the webs with respect to the carrier region, the valve lamella being attached flexibly to the web region.

The valve seat is that region on the valve lamella which provides a sealing face, by way of which a sealing action of the passage ducts is made possible.

In order to achieve a targeted flexibility, a bending zone can be provided along a bend axis between the valve lamella and the web region. The bending properties and the flexural stresses can be influenced positively in the bending zone by way of the design of the bending zone in relation to the bend axis.

The flexural stress in the bending zone is produced in the case of use in a reciprocating piston compressor when the piston moves in the piston-swept chamber and a vacuum is produced in the piston-swept chamber, as a result of which a medium, in particular air, is sucked out of an intake space through inlet openings in the valve plate. The flowing air acts on the valve lamella and bends it into the piston-swept chamber. Depending on the design of the bending zone, the opening angle can be changed, with the result that the passage cross section for the controlled medium is increased and the flow conditions for the medium are improved, in order to decrease the passage resistance of the medium through the valve.

In one preferred refinement of the valve plate or the valve region, it can be provided that a web region is provided with two bending zones along in each case one bend axis, in each case one valve lamella being attached flexibly to each bending zone. The valve lamellae are preferably of symmetrical design in the case of this embodiment.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the bending zone comprises two or more bending portions, via which the valve lamellae are attached flexibly to the web region. The bending forces in the bending portions can be influenced in a highly advantageous manner by way of the dimensions and the positions of the bending portions, and the bending can thus also be defined.

Furthermore, one or more outlet openings for the controlled medium can be provided in the valve region. The compressed air is conveyed out of the piston-swept chamber again through the outlet openings.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the valve plate has a seal contour at least on one side, by way of which the valve region is separated from further functional regions. The valve plate can thus assume further functions such as, for example, connecting ducts of the compressor from the crankcase region to the cylinder head region in a fluid-tight manner, or disconnecting chambers in the valve carrier plate from chambers or ducts in the crankcase in a fluid-tight manner. The seal contour can be a contour which is embossed into the valve plate or else a sealing compound which is applied to the valve plate.

A further embodiment can be a valve plate with two or more valve regions, for example for a two-stage reciprocating piston compressor.

As described above, the valve plate can advantageously be used as intake valve in a compressor, the valve plate being clamped in the compressor between a valve carrier plate, with passage ducts for the inlet and outlet of a controlled medium into and from a piston-swept chamber, and a crankcase.

Furthermore, the valve carrier plate and the crankcase can have ducts and/or spaces, the valve plate having functional regions, by way of which the ducts and/or spaces are connected to one another in a fluid-conducting manner or are disconnected from one another in a fluid-tight manner. For example, air and, in order to cool the air, cooling water can flow through the ducts and/or spaces.

Further advantageous specificities of the invention will be described on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The indicated features can advantageously be implemented not only in the illustrated combination, but rather can also be combined individually among one another. In the figures, in detail:

FIG. 1 shows a valve plate according to the invention, and

FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of the valve plate which is installed in the compressor.

FIG. 1 shows a valve plate 1 with two valve regions 2 a, 2 b for a two-stage reciprocating piston compressor. The design or the contour of the valve regions 2 a, 2 b is adapted by way of example to the requirements of the individual stages, and can also be of different design.

This depiction shows a valve plate 1 from the direction of the piston-swept chamber, in the case of which the first compressor stage can be seen at the top and the second compressor stage can be seen at the bottom. Furthermore, the kidney-shaped inlet ducts 3 (dashed lines) are indicated in the region of the valve lamellae 5.

The valve plate 1 is divided into a plurality of regions: the carrier region 8, the valve regions 2 a, 2 b, and the functional regions 15 a to 15 d. An explanation of each part separately is dispensed with in the case of the functional regions. The essential function of said functional regions is either to connect or to disconnect ducts and spaces in the crankcase 10 and/or the valve carrier plate 9. The individual regions 2 a, 2 b, 8 and functional regions 15 a to 15 d are separated from one another by way of a seal contour or else an applied sealing compound.

Each valve region 2 a, 2 b can be divided into three further regions: the web region 13 and the two lamella regions 14 which are separated by way of the bend axes 6, the direct region along the bend axis also being called a bending zone. The essential bending of the valve lamella 5 takes place in the bending zone, the valve lamella 5 forming a bending curve in the bending zone during the bending.

In order to set the required bending forces, the bending zone is divided into two or more bending portions, via which the valve lamellae 5 are attached flexibly to the web region 13. The bending portions therefore form flexible connecting webs.

The web region 13 is attached via webs 7 to the carrier region 8. Since the valve plate 1 and therefore the carrier region 8 are clamped in fixedly in the installed state, the web region 13 with the webs 7 is likewise fixed. This means that the web region remains substantially fixed in its position even in the case of bending of the valve lamellae 5.

Furthermore, openings are provided in the valve regions 2 a, 2 b, which openings form the outlet ducts 4, through which compressed air can flow out of the piston-swept chamber 11 again.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of the valve plate 1 which is installed in the compressor. This is generally a concept which comprises a catcher-less intake valve which is connected via connecting points to the valve plate 1, with the result that what is known as an integrally paired joint is formed.

The valve plate 1 is clamped in between the valve carrier plate 8 and the crankcase 10. The seal contour cannot be seen here, but it is applied at the corresponding points, with the result that the fluid-tight shielding of the individual functional regions is achieved.

Furthermore, the two valve lamella functional positions of intake and compression are shown: for one thing the basic position, in the case of which the inlet duct 3 is closed by way of the valve lamella 5, and for another thing the open position, in the case of which the valve lamella 5 is bent in the direction of the piston by way of the vacuum which is generated by the piston and the pressure difference which is produced.

The illustration and explanation of the further components are dispensed with, since they are not relevant for the comprehension of the invention.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

1 Valve plate

2 a, b Valve region

3 Inlet duct

4 Outlet duct

5 Valve lamella

6 Bend axis

7 Web

8 Carrier region

9 Valve carrier plate

10 Crankcase

11 Piston-swept chamber

12 Seal contour

13 Web region

14 Lamella region

15 a, . . . Functional region

16 Duct

17 Space

19 Inlet space 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A valve plate for installation into a reciprocating piston compressor, the valve plate comprising: a carrier region and a valve region; said valve region having a movable valve lamella with a valve seat for closing passage ducts in a valve carrier plate for a controlled medium; said valve region having webs acting on said carrier region and causing said valve lamella to be fixed relative to said carrier region; and said valve region having a web region being fixed by said webs relative to said carrier region, said valve lamella being attached flexibly to said web region.
 12. The valve plate according to claim 11, which further comprises a bending zone provided along a bend axis between said valve lamella and said web region.
 13. The valve plate according to claim 12, which further comprises another bending zone and another valve lamella, each of said bending zones in said web region being disposed along a respective bend axis, and each of said valve lamellae being attached flexibly to a respective one of said bending zones.
 14. The valve plate according to claim 13, wherein said valve lamellae have a symmetrical shape.
 15. The valve plate according to claim 13, wherein said bending zones include two or more bending portions at which said valve lamellae are attached flexibly to said web region.
 16. The valve plate according to claim 11, wherein said valve region has one or more outlet openings for the controlled medium.
 17. The valve plate according to claim 11, which further comprises functional regions separated from said valve region, and a seal contour disposed on at least one side of the valve plate.
 18. The valve plate according to claim 11, which further comprises at least one further valve region.
 19. A compressor, comprising: a piston-swept chamber; a valve carrier plate having passage ducts for an inflow and an outflow of a controlled medium into and from said piston-swept chamber; a crankcase; and a valve plate according to claim 11 acting as an intake valve and being clamped between said valve carrier plate and said crankcase.
 20. The compressor according to claim 19, wherein said valve carrier plate and said crankcase have at least one of ducts or spaces, and the valve plate has functional regions fluid-tightly connecting said at least one of ducts or spaces to one another or disconnecting said at least one of ducts or spaces from one another. 